Lead Advisor, Trusted Travel Initiative, ACDC

Focus of the Role

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is a specialised technical institution of the African Union (AU) that was launched in 2017 to support Member States in strengthening their health systems.

The Africa CDC works with all African countries to strengthen the capabilities of their public health institutions for disease surveillance, emergency response, prevention and control, including the capacity to detect and respond quickly and effectively to disease threats. It also serves as a platform for Member States to share and exchange knowledge and lessons from public health interventions. 

Beyond the tragic deaths, disabilities and debilitation, the Covid-19 pandemic’s effect has been far reaching across economies, societies and cultures. In August 2020, the Africa CDC launched the “Saving Lives, Economies and Livelihoods” campaign to explore a holistic, response to the pandemic.  A crucial pillar of this response is the “Africa CDC Trusted Travel” platform.  This is a set of technology-driven innovations to restore travel, tourism and trade without exacerbating disease transmission through wholly novel inter-state digital health screening protocol and enabling technologies. To this end, the Africa CDC has drafted a Health Information Exchange (HIE) policy and standards for member states. 

In collaboration with the Africa CDC, the Tony Blair Insititute (TBI) is working with countries and multilateral organisations across Africa as they roll out Covid-19 vaccination programmes to restore confidence in international travel and facilitate movement of people in a post-Covid-19 environment. TBI recognises the urgency of developing interoperable digital platforms enabling effective vaccine management for governments and citizens to securely share health information.

In seeking to deliver on its mandate and achieve the “Saving Lives, Economies and Livelihoods” campaign objectives, the Africa CDC intends to recruit a Lead Advisor for the Trusted Travel Initiative on a fixed term, 12 month basis. The post holder, based in the Africa CDC’s Headquarters in Addis Ababa, will report to the Africa CDC Head of Surveillance and Disease Intelligence Division, and work closely with TBI’s Tech and Public Policy team in delivery of the Initiative. They will oversee the implementation of the Trusted Travel Initiative platform, the Africa CDC Health Information Exchange (HIE) policy and standards and, will work to develop strong linkages with external partners.

This is a senior role requiring an exceptional candidate with proven experience in setting up and running innovative digital platforms.

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Key outcomes of the role will include:

• The roll out of the Africa CDC’s endorsed travel passes and digital health management information systems with the Africa CDC’s technology partners in priority countries
• The development and nurturing of mutually beneficial relationships with technology partners that enable the Africa CDC’s HIE policy
• The finalisation and implementation of the Africa CDC’s HIE policy and standards

Key Responsibilities

Role summary

• Strategy and Planning: design, maintain and continually improve: (i) Africa CDC’s  HIE policy and standards; and (ii) develop plans and tools to roll out travel passes and digital health management information systems from one technology platform to another, within AU Member States
• Stakeholder engagement: build trusted relationships with technology companies and secure partnership mandates on behalf of the Africa CDC in delivering travel passes and health management information systems with at least one key counterpart in these companies as a regular contact.  Establish effective and trusted relationships within Africa CDC, the AU Secretariat and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. Build and maintain relationships with counterparts in global multilateral organisations working on infectious disease control. Engage with relevant external stakeholders such as tech hubs/incubators, investors, other not for profit organisations, media, suppliers, and agencies
• Execution and Monitoring: establish, review, and maintain project goals, plans, proof points and KPIs. Serve as the focal point for technology driven initiatives in the Africa CDC, project and output quality control and design tools to support execution. Report and engage with the Head of Surveillance and Disease Intelligence Division to drive delivery, ideate, troubleshoot and manage the Africa CDC’s HIE policy.
• People: manage a Programme Assistant and help develop their skills and capabilities to deliver on their Key Performance Indicators. Shape and embody a culture that drives innovation and delivery. Provide quality control of new hires and ongoing development and mentoring. The post holder and his/her team will be expected to play a key role in the broader community at TBI and will be expected to build strong working relationships
• One TBI: the post holder will formally report into TBI’s Global Director Techfor Development and Africa CDC’s Head of Surveillance and Disease Intelligence Division. Other key relationships will be with the Executive Directors for External Relations, Government Advisory, Tech & Public Policy, and our Legal, HR and Finance support teams.

Person Specification

Desired qualifications and competencies include:

• A minimum of 7 years’ leadership experience in the private or public sector delivering high impact programmes at the intersect of the technology and health sectors, preferably in the context of international development
• Familiarity with health management information systems in use across AU member states will be an advantage
• Excellence in building and managing effective relationships, including the ability to navigate complex political environments
• Experience working in Africa is required, with a preference for experience inside a governmental institution
• Strong PowerPoint and verbal presentation skills including the ability to present complex technical concepts to decision makers
• Outstanding management skills and the proven ability to build and inspire teams to achieve exceptional objectives
• The ability to influence policy outcomes in governments and drive transformational decisions in public sector organisations
• Experience working in or consulting in developing and emerging economies and is sensitive to a diverse range of cultural and regional norms
• A bachelor’s or postgraduate degree or equivalent practical experience.
• Willingness to relocate to Addis Ababa for 12 months (relocation package provided)
• Fluency in English is required, with a preference for working knowledge of French

The postholder must be a national and citizen of any AU Member State.

About The Institute

The Tony Blair Institute (TBI) is a mission-driven not for profit organisation. We exist to equip political leaders and governments to build open, inclusive and prosperous societies. We work hard, every day, to make a difference. When governments work well they are able to create economic and social change in a way that promotes fairness, social justice and opportunity. We work relentlessly to support leader and governments with the challenges they face. Giving them practical solutions and actionable insights, that once implemented, can be transformative for their people  

We do this within two connected divisions: 

 Government Advisory 

Our Advisory Practice works directly with political leaders and governments around the world to implement reforms that improve the lives of their citizens. It has both non-profit partners and a client base and its outputs cover a range of disciplines and projects across countries in Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and South Asia. We are currently in a rapid expansion phase from c. 18 countries at present, to 30 by December 2022.

 Policy Futures 

Our Policy Futures work encompasses three broad areas: 

• Renewing the Centre: developing a bold and innovative domestic policy programme to help renew the centre ground of British politics; 
• Tech and Public Policy: exploring the policy challenges and opportunities presented by the technological revolution; and 
• Extremism Policy Unit: creating solutions designed to tackle the threat of extremist ideologies in the UK and around the world. 

As an organisation, the core beliefs we all embrace are: 

• Open and Progressive: you’ll believe in the value of teamwork 
• Bold and Pragmatic: you’ll approach everything you do with integrity and authenticity 
• Optimistic Changemaker: you’ll be focused on results 

TBI believes embracing diversity and inclusion make us a better place to work.  It’s our goal to reflect everyone in society and we actively welcome applications from individuals and groups who are under-represented in the workplace. We celebrate difference be it ethnicity, religion, age, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation or disability. We will only ever assess you on your abilities and fit for a role. We’re happy to discuss any adjustments you need to ensure a level playing field during recruitment and, if you\'re successful, discuss any adjustments you might need to thrive in your role.